Somerset/Frome or Dorset/Lyme Regis

[Pumpkintopf]

Thinking about relocating to the West Country.

Anyone have any experience living in either of these two (or nearby?)

Thank you!

Frome is the Hampstead of the West Country, Nice but very trendy and full of "Down from London" types.

I'd take Lyme.

Lyme is very small, a long way from anywhere and gets overrun with tourists. Frome is lovely.

We moved to Somerset 2 yrs ago from Birmingham. People are lovely, slower pace of life, quiet. Depends what you want to get out of your move, whether it will suit you or not.

We'd be moving to be nearer to family (Devon) - many happy memories of holidays in Lyme over the years but not sure what it would be like to live there. Both a few years away from retirement, dh works remotely so we could live anywhere, dc at uni. Would like some culture, some community and events ideally.

We moved to South Somerset 5 years ago from the south east. It is absolute bliss. We can get to the south coast (Lyme/Charmouth) in 20 minutes. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. If you need schools, it doesn’t get better than Colyton Grammar.

Just read that you don’t need schools 😅

Dorset is choked with traffic for at least half of the year. Road system is poor. Parents live in Taunton, nice enough, countryside and beaches easily accessible.

I'm in Dorset. I wouldn't live in either Frome or Lyme, even though I like both.

I'd look at Wells, Dorchester or Bridport where you can have a life less dominated by tourists.

I do like Bridport, it's a nice little town

Don't need schools anymore thankfully but decent transport links for the dc to come home from Birmingham and London would be useful...

Sherborne has lots of local events and great community. The Abbey brings in good quality musical groups regularly and 'The Sherborne' promises plenty of good art exhibitions. There is a literary society, a historical society and a monthly science cafe. The museum also puts on talks etc. There are monthly markets which are lovely for browsing and a popular Christmas market. A glance through issues of the Sherborne Times would give you an idea. We do not get overrun with tourists, although there are lots of school children on the loose in term time.
https://www.sherbornetimes.co.uk/digital-edition

Direct line to London but I'm not sure how easy Birmingham would be.

@WASZPy thank you! Will have a look

You may have moved by now - but if not I think Frome wins for its mix of culture, community and events which is what you want. Also, it’s so close to Bath and Bristol.